I would think that Health & Safety / Fire Service / Council would have the power to do something about this potential major fire risk in Poynton if the pictures are to be believed !!! Somebody must still be paying the electricity bill (for the two freezers) ? ... or it would have been disconnected.

I remember it when it was a gym - about 20 years ago.It is so sad to see an old building, in such a prime location, in such a sorry state. Do the Rentons still own it? (they did own the Brookfield Hydro Garage for many years and might still do??)

RETACY wrote:I remember it when it was a gym - about 20 years ago.It is so sad to see an old building, in such a prime location, in such a sorry state. Do the Rentons still own it? (they did own the Brookfield Hydro Garage for many years and might still do??)

Yes, I believe the Renton's still own both the garage and the building and will only sell the two together - thus cutting out many likely interested parties.

Personally I wouldn't call Les Durrant a 'doyen' but certainly give him lots of credit for what he's done.I would add further to the topic -Extract from Co-operative News 6 Dec 1947The Brookfield - only cinema in the village of Poynton has been purchased by the Poynton and Worth Society for a sum which is stated to be in the neighbourhood of £35 000.Since it was opened in 1938 when it replaced a small old fashioned hall, the Brookfield has not only been Poynton's only cinema, it has largely filled the function of the social centre of a growing area.In addition to a modern and well appointed auditorium, the cinema buildings include a cafe and ballroom which are in regular use throughout the year, not only for lunches, teas and snacks, but also wedding and other parties and private dances.Its owners and builders, Mr and Mrs R Bailey have also managed the place and have always been concerned that the Brookfield should be a real social centre for Poynton which was once a mining village but in now largely residential. They have always encouraged young people to make of it a rendezvous and during the war, when many American and other troops were in the area, as well as members of the RAF, the cafe was always crowded.The cinema has a stage large enough for dramatic work and the Poynton village players regularly use it for their productions. The cinema has 920 seats while there are a hundred places in the cafe and the ballroom will take 150 dancers with comfortA large car park adjoins the land as part of the site.